CHECK WITH YOUR AIRLINE FOR THEIR CARRY-ON DIMENSIONS

The Solo bag (above) failed the bin test at Spirit Airlines in Fort Lauderdale, FL today. Boy, was  I sad. Spirits dimensions for the carry-on under seat bags can be no more then 16" x 14" x 12". My Solo bag came in at 16" x 15" x 9". The one inch more in width, made for a $30.00 penalty. So maybe I was really more mad then sad! Make sure you check with your airline for the exact dimensions required for any carry-ons you may wish to take.

WHY I CHOSE A BASE COLOR OF BLACK

I chose black as my base color because it is so vesatile and it comes with a multitude of clothing and accessory options. It goes with all skin shades and today it is acceptable in both warm and cold climates. For years we have heard of the "little black dress" that is a must for all well appointed female wardrobes, well, that is still true. The plain black dress which can be dressed up or down is definetly finding its way into my suitcase. Coordinated with comfortable black dress shoes, pearls and a small black evening bag, I am off to practically any evening function. When it is worn with a multi colored (with a small black interest in the design) pullover top or blouse and I have toned it down for day wear. But get this straight, a black theme wardrobe does not mean I am always wearing black. It means that the clothing I chose will go beautifully with my black shoes, bags, sweaters or wraps that I pack. I am always adding clothing that is colorful and tasteful with that black accent that makes it easy to blend. During my May cruise you will see how this process comes about.    

PACKING CUBES

I don't use packing cubes when I travel but I know lots of people who swear by them. There are many companies that sell them. Eagle Creek has their Pack-it Cube, Magellan sells their Stow-Aways Mesh Cubes, Rick Steves and Athalon also have packing cubes that they market, just to name a few. The cubes help organize what is to be packed and they usually have a mesh side that makes it easy to identify the contents. I prefer to use freezer  and or air/vac bags like those made by Pack-Mate. You can see everything, they manage wet clothing better then a mesh cube and the price is right!

LOOKING FOR LUGGAGE? TRY TRAVELPRO

I am looking at the TravelPro under-the-seat bag for my May transatlantic cruise. That would be the smaller of the two suitcases shown above. Both bags are exceedingly well made, lightweight and easy to navigate. The blue/green color of the bag makes it easier to locate then a plain black bag but I will have a bright red strap and color tags on it to make it even more identifiable.

LAYER, LAYER, LAYER

If Location, location, location is the mantra for real estate then layer, layer, layer is the mantra for the pack light packer. By choosing clothing that coordinates with your wardrobe and that is easy to layer, the packer is open to many outfit selections with a limited amount to pack. In early May I will be leaving on a two week vacation that includes a 12 night transatlantic cruise along with two nights in London. I will be doing this trip with an under the seat bag for most US airlines. The dimensions will be about 15 x 14 x 9 inches. In it will be 36 different outfits that will utilize layering along with all the packing tricks I have learned over the years. In the next few weeks I will be blogging about what I will take and how I plan to pack it. Please join me on this quest via emails or comments on my blog. I would love to hear from you.

WEAR OR PACK A REVERSIBLE BELT

Recently I went to the gift store of a major business hotel. I wanted to see what people usually forgot to pack. Toiletries like toothpaste, toothbrush,deodorant, shaving cream and razors topped the list. When it came to clothing, however, people tend to forget their belts. My solution is to wear it and better yet, make it a reversible belt.

CHECK OUT SPORTS AUTHORITY FOR COLORFUL TEES

For the optimum use of your travel clothes, remember to pack more tops then bottoms. If you are traveling to a beach resort or taking a Caribbean cruise, for example, remember to check out stores like Sports Authority. They carry an incredible assortment of Tees in a variety of fabrics and colors. This week, the  women's Aspire Tees (in the photo above) come with a great price too, only $7.99 each. They are wrinkle resistant and made of 95% cotton and 5% spandex. Men's cotton S.A. Gear  cotton Tees are 3 for $18.00

LUGGAGE & MORE

Yesterday as I was window shopping in Mizner Park, the upscale shopping, dining and entertainment center in Boca Raton, FL, I happened upon Luggage & More. It is new to the park and carries a wide array of travel goodies. With suitcases and bags from luggage leaders like Tumi, Delsey, Samsonite and many more, I was a kid in the"candy" store! Lee Rosenfeld, the District Manager of Luggage & More, could not have been more helpful. He showed me several of his favorite brands and we both agreed that the bright colored Romero Britto bags would (shown above) be the easiest to identify at baggage claim. I doubt a thief would ever snatch a Britto bag when a nondescript black bag could be discreetly lifted.

DAILY CHARTS MAKE PACKING EASIER

Go to my website: http://www.mimipackslight.com/ and print out a Daily Chart before your next trip. The charts are divided into three sections making it easy to plan in advance for what you might be doing on a particular travel day. First fill in your activity(ies) and then fill in what a suitable outfit might be for that activity. Keep in mind that the "pack light" traveler will often use the same jacket, sweater, pants or shoes for numerous outfits. By looking at your perspective trip as it is detailed on paper, you will find it easier to choose the actual clothing you might wear as opposed to the random approach of just pulling clothes from drawers or your closet, and hoping the correct ensembles will appear.

THE ENTERTAINMENT BOOK

Even though there are plenty of sights out there that offer deals on restaurants, travel and retail, I still pick up at least one Entertainment Book each year. It started years ago when my daughter's school was selling them as a fundraiser. After just a few weeks I had recouped my initial investment and the savings just went on from there. The book comes complete with a membership card for fine dining, coupons, 800 phone numbers and websites with discount codes. I regularly use the hotel and rental car discounts and love the added reductions on retail, grocery and hardware stores. By mid-June the price goes down dramatically but there are always specials online so check it out!

PACK A HAT

With more and more reports about the dangers of skin cancer not to mention premature aging,it's important to wear a hat. Last year I picked up a reversible hat from CVS for $9.99. It is black on one side which is perfect for me since my base color theme is black. The reverse side was a black and white paisley print. My mother is a hat lover and will often take four or five of them on a trip. She suggested getting a bright colored flower or two from Michaels and safety pinning or velcroing it to the hat for a completely different look. It was a great idea and it not only customized my outfit but I got a lot of compliments as well. Even though the hat packs well, I opted to wear it on my travel days.

WEAR OR PACK COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES

One of the most important things to do when you travel is to wear or pack comfortable walking shoes. When you are off on a new adventure or trip remember this is not the time to break in a new pair of shoes. You can't imagine how many vacations or business trips have been ruined because someone decided that new shoes would look great. They probably do but the discomfort of breaking them in could break you as well. Wear your heaviest shoes on the day you fly, or take a train or bus. Pack your other shoes. Make sure that the shoes or sneakers that you do most of your walking in have good support and are comfortable. For getting on planes I recommend sneakers with velcro fasteners or slip on shoes that are easy to get in an out of during the security check.

THE SUPER LIGHT CARDIGAN STYLE WRAP

I was window shopping the other day in Montclair, NJ, when I came upon this elegant cardigan style wrap at Oasis. It is perfect for the savvy light weight packer. Amy (above) is modeling the wrap in a beautiful shade of wine. Besides your basic black and wine it comes in a variety of colors including red, teal and brown. Manufactured by Chris & Carol, the wrap is made in the U.S.A. which I find to be a plus. It is made of 95% Polyester and 5% Spandex and can be machine washed and tumble dried. I will be taking a black wrap on my transatlantic cruise this May. I will be posting my daily attire on that trip, in which I will only use an under the seat suitcase. The goal is for 36 unique outfits in 14 days all from that small bag. The Chris & Carol wrap is certain to be a hit!

MAKE YOUR SUITCASE DISTINGUISHABLE FROM THE NEXT

Always make sure your suitcase is distinguishable. Consider that you are at a crowded airport or a busy train station and you are asking for directions. For a brief moment you have forgotten your bag and when you look for it it is gone. If your suitcase is well marked with bright luggage straps or tags it is much easier to spot and report. As a matter of fact, your identifiable suitcase is most likely to be bypassed by a thief for another plainer bag. When it comes to baggage claim, let those black generic bags go round and round, you will be able to recognize your suitcase immediately. 

OVERPACKED? SHIP IT BACK!

Last night I went out to dinner with my friend Melanie. She had recently taken a trip to Florida and knew that the bag she was planning to check would be over the limit allowed. She decided to visit her local post office and mail some of the clothing she would be needing to her final destination. If you find that you have too much to take back and you are traveling in the United States, consider shipping back the excess. Priority Mail flat rate boxes could offer a solution that is better then the penalty fees at the airport. It is truly amazing, how much you can cram into one of those boxes. I used to ship my dirty clothes back that way but the boxes work just as well on either end of a trip.

EXPANDABLE POUCHES

Expandable pouches are great packing additions. They not only provide a place for those extra travel items that we seem to accumulate during a trip but they can also be used as a day bag when we are out touring. I usually attach mine to the outside of my suitcase.

CALL YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE USA

When you are planning a trip outside of the US let your credit card company know. Give them a call before you leave to tell them where you plan to travel. Ask if they have any specials going on with banks, stores or hotels. Also ask them for phone numbers that you should call in case you need assistance while abroad. Take those number along with your credit card number and security code on the back and email them to yourself. This way you will be able access the information in case your card is lost or stolen. There is nothing worse then finding out your credit card has been cancelled because your credit company thinks your account has been compromised. Call before you go for added security.

PACKING THE BOTTOM OF A WHEELED SUITCASE

The inside of a wheeled suitcase is made up of the rods that support the expandable handle. Because of this, the lined interior is marked by crevices. I fill the crevices with my underwear, stockings and socks, trying my best to create a smooth area before I add my next layer. I usually do not roll as rolling often takes up more space. The only exception I make to rolling is when I roll socks to fill the cups of certain bras and bathing suits. Flat shoes can also be packed in the crevices. Remember to always wrap the shoes in either shoe bags or plastic bags.

IN 1779, MANY CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS ARRIVED IN MORRISTOWN, NJ WITH ONLY THE CLOTHING ON THEIR BACKS

During the Continental Army's winter encampment of 1779 and 1780, George Washington stayed in the home of Mrs. Jacob Ford, Jr. (above), while many of his soldiers spent the bitter-cold months camping in tents while awaiting the completion of log cabins. That winter, with its 24 snow storms, proved to be the worst in the known history of the time. Most soldiers arrived on foot, poorly clad and packing virtually nothing but what they wore. Yesterday Steve and I went to Washington's Headquarters Museum in Morristown, NJ, which is operated by the National Park Service. It is easy for us to forget how many of our forefathers suffered for the freedom we have today. Some of the men endured with rags for shoes and only a blanket for protection. There were times when men went hungry for days, in some cases eating bark from the trees. How fortunate we are today to be the benefactors of such brave and committed men. Let us never forget the sacrifices they made. If you are in the Morristown, NJ area please consider a visit to the museum and Ford mansion, which played such an important part in our nation's history. Call 973-539-2016 for information.

THE ESSEX BAR AND GRILL IN BLOOMFIELD, NJ

Oh, I am loving restaurant.com. That's how I found the Essex Bar and Grill in Bloomfield, NJ. Using one of the coupons that I printed out from the restaurant.com site and plugging in the restaurant directions on my iPhone GPS, we were good to go. The restaurant with a banquet  hall annex is beautiful on the outside and the bar inside looks like it came from the set of the "Cheers" TV show. The staff was friendly and Brittany, our server, could not have been nicer. We started out with broccoli rabe which was so good we had to order more to take home. Steve ordered a large salad along with a pepper and egg sandwich while I ordered the tuna salad platter. Everything was delicious and we plan on returning next weekend. As we were leaving they were setting up for karaoke. We were told they bring in bands too. So we are giving the Essex Bar and Grill thumbs up!

PACK LIGHT FOR AN NCL FREESTYLE CRUISE

Of all the cruise lines that I have been on, NCL is the most informal. The casual nature of NCL is due to their "Freestyle" theme. Freestyle cruising allows the passengers to choose when and where they want to dine on the ship. You don't have to be regimented to a set dinner time nor be banished to the buffet if you don't want to participate in the formal evenings. As a result, the passengers don't have to bring as many outfits, which helps them to scale back on their luggage. In a sense, NCL has gone green!

RESTAURANT SAVINGS AT RESTAURANT.COM

Eating out, while you travel, can be hard on the wallet, but sites like restaurant.com make it easier. Actually,restaurant.com makes finding a restaurant fun and affordable. Recently a friend and I had dinner at Mediterranea in Montclair, NJ. We found it on the restaurant.com site where we could check the menu in advance, print out a discount coupon and make our reservation. One stop planning, it was great. Our coupon, which cost $3.00, gave us $25.00 off a required purchase of $45.00. Mediterranea serves a wide variety of Mediterranean dishes. We started out with hummus, and because I am new to this kind of cuisine, we tried the sampler platter. The platter had eight different items including baba ghannoush, stuffed grape leaves and green foul. All in all, I loved the food and the baklava we had for dessert, was the best I had ever tasted. An added plus to the experience was the staff. Lance, Nick and Victor waited on us and were very patient and informative with our questions.

MAGGIE'S RESTAURANT IN AVALON, NJ

When I travel, I am always on the lookout for unique places that add their own special charm to a city or town. Maggie's restaurant in Avalon, NJ is such a place. A favorite with the locals it is the kind of place that just feels like home. The $3.99 off-season breakfast special of eggs, potatoes, toast and coffee was delicious and light on the pocketbook. It provided a perfect haven for a cold and windy day at the Jersey shore.

TRY VACATIONSTOGO WHEN YOU ARE CRUISE HUNTING

My favorite website when searching for a cruise is vacationstogo. By clicking on "90-Day Ticker", I get an overall view of discounted cruises from around the world. If you need more time to plan, you can search the area you are interested in, by clicking "Find A Bargain" or "Custom Search." The site is easy to navigate and the customer service via the telephone is excellent.

DOLLAR TREE PACK LIGHT FINDS

Check out your local Dollar Tree store for bargain travel items. Above you will find Smart Fit Button which is a must have for cruise travelers. If those pants or skirts are a little tight after seven days onboard a ship, then this product is for you. The button lets you expand the waistband! The instant Hand Sanitizer spray is about the size of a pen and keeps you virtually germ free as you travel about. A lint roller comes in handy when you wear dark colors. Travel Bottles are perfect for when your favorite toiletries don't come in sample sizes. Dollar Tree also carries small sizes of over the counter medicines like Excedrin. I usually pick up a small First Aid Kit there too. I take out the contents and put it in a quart size, clear, freezer bag to reduce the space the case takes up. 

PACKING HEAVY GUIDEBOOKS IS NO LONGER NECESSARY

With the internet on our computers and smart phones, we no longer need to lug around heavy guidebooks and maps. We can access travel information in seconds and keep that info. bookmarked or emailed for later use. Today I am in Montclair, New Jersey. It is a rainy winter Sunday and I want to get out and participate in a few of the things the area has to offer. My first stop is my iPhone with a quick look at my "AroundMe" app. This app lists hotels, movie theatres, restaurants, parking locations, just to name a few. It comes complete with maps and is very easy to navigate. A hike in Eagle Rock Reservation is out of the question due to the weather but a stroll through the Montclair Museum of Art is just the ticket. There is an Andy Warhol exhibit that I would like to see and the local High Schools are having an exhibit of some very talented students in the Art school section of the museum. In the photo above I am playing in the interactive Warhol "Silver Cloud" exhibit. After cross checking with Bank America's MOU (museums on us) program, I showed my Bank America credit card for complimentary access to the museum. The MOU program provides free admission to many US museums on the first weekend of the month.

WHAT DOCUMENTS AND CARDS TO PACK WHEN TRAVELING ABROAD

When traveling to another country remember to take:

1)    Passport

2)    A visa if needed

3)    ATM card

4)    Credit card (Visa and MasterCard are more widely accepted then American 
        Express)

5)    Driver's license

6)    Driver's Insurance card

7)    Health Insurance card

8)    Some local currency  (if dollars are not accepted)

9)    Approximately $100.00 US currency 

10)  Emergency contacts with phone numbers and any medical or allergy info. 

Scan or photograph items 1 through 7 and send them to a secure email address in case the originals are lost or stolen.

BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE WHEN YOU LEAVE THE COUNTRY

It is a good idea to check with your health insurance company before you leave the country. You may find that you are not covered in another country. Purchasing a travel policy could be the answer for you. Ask your travel agent to recommend a reliable insurance company or go on line for other options. You will sleep better knowing you are protected. 

SAFETY TIPS DURING TRAVEL

When you are traveling, you are out of your element, and are often very easy to spot. Looking at a map can distract you and when you are distracted your guard is down. Not that maps are bad, they are not, but it is best to get a good idea of where you are going before you leave the hotel, cruise ship or wherever. A "smart" phone with your location programed in is better to use as it is not as obvious. Remember though, not to put your pocketbook or day bag down on the ground while you are getting your bearings.

Other safety tips include:

1)    Don't wear flashy jewelry.

2)    Don't pull out wads of cash.

3)    Wear a money belt if you are in a big city that you are not familiar with.

4)    Don't walk around alone at night.

5)    Don't give out your room number or key to strangers.

6)    If you lose your key have a "new" one reprogramed at the front desk.

7)    Keep a whistle with you at all times.

8)    Keep a small amount of cash, credit card and photo ID in a separate pocket.

9)    Keep a cell phone with you at all times.

10)  Let someone know your itinerary.

TEN OF THE BEST PACK LIGHT TRAVEL TIPS

1)   Make a list of what you will need.

2)   Pack more tops then bottoms (slacks or skirts).

3)   Pack clothing of polyester and wrinkle free fabric blends.

4)   Pack a sweater or jacket that coordinates with most of the outfits you will 

       wear.

5)   Pack comfortable shoes that coordinate with most of the outfits you will wear.

6)   Remember "When in doubt, take it out."

7)   Pack a small umbrella and raincoat that fits in its own bag.

8)   Don't pack white slacks, pack black ones instead.

9)   Pack a compression bag for wet bathing suits or dirty clothing.

10) Use sample or trial sizes of your favorite toiletries or cosmetics. 

HURRAY FOR ONLINE SITES LIKE TRAVEL SMITH

When I am looking for specific items for travel I usually hit the internet first. Sites like Travel Smith are excellent. The dress shown above is actually a formal full length black skirt. It has an elastic waist which also lets me use it as a strapless dress. Paired with the right top it looks elegant and because it is made of a polyester blend it is wrinkle free and stain resistant.

KEEP YOUR TRAVEL GIFTS SMALL

When picking out gifts for family and friends while your on your trip, try to think small. Often the traveler has to pick up another bag for all the purchases they have made during their travels. This can be avoided by picking out articles that are less bulky. For example, choose a baseball cap over a sweatshirt, destination charms and patches over T- shirts. For little children inflatable balls and toys are usually as desirable as much larger stuffed animals. Think in terms of size and weight especially if you are taking a plane where it could cost you to check the bag. On Spirit Airlines there is even a fee for overhead carry-ons. Those additional charges could negate your bargains, not to mention the hassle of having to lug them around.